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Thursday, 15 November 2012

Tyson

Tyson is a fascinating self discovery
story who reflects on his earlier years both his private and publicly viewed
life. Reflecting on his childhood years growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn New
York to becoming the youngest ever Heavyweight World Champion. Dealt with bad
hand in life Tyson explains growing up in troubled household and a crime ridden
area lead him to a life of crime. When Tyson discovered boxing a trainer called
Cus D'Amato took him under his wing. Taken from such a deprived area into a
Victorian mansion in the country, D’Amato not only psychically trained Tyson
but psychologically mesmerized him into being the best. Being bullied all his
childhood life, D’Amato taught Tyson discipline and self-respect. Till this day
it still brings Tyson to tears. Building his confidence and guiding him to a
better path. D’Amato became more than a trainer or mentor but a father figure
to Tyson. James Toback’s Tyson is a captivating
and emotional journey of the stages of Tyson life as; Kid Dynamite, Iron Mike
and The baddest Man on the Planet. Who better to explain the life one of the
most controversial boxing icons that brings a sympathetic and objective light
to the story then the man himself.

Exploring his upbringings we
realise that Tyson’s childhood was a very unforgiving cruel world. As D’Amato
took Tyson and looked after him as he was his own. We see that D’Amato had a
very profound effect on Tyson both emotionally and psychologically. We realize
that D’Amato wasn’t only training Tyson to become a boxing champion but given
Tyson a reason to live, change his life from crime and drugs. Through boxing
Tyson became a better person, with countless hours of intense training. D’Amato
began breaking Tyson down and rebuilding him. It wasn’t just Tyson’s incredible
speed and his physical perfection. D’Amato mastered the art of the emotional
and psychological elements into boxing and that the key success to being a champion
wasn’t physical but psychological. Tyson would become what was known as the “Spiritual
Warrior” way of fighting.By installing
fear into the opponents, already before they enter the ring Tyson had already psychological
beaten them. With this psychological win the opponent emotionally now has lost
the will to win.

When Tyson become the youngest
and undisputed World Boxing Champion, his young age and rise to stardom become both
a blessing and cures for the champion. Having achieved so much at such little
time his personal issues began to intervene with his personal life also. Being
so young and immature lead him to his downfall in life. Going to prison had a
very psychological effect on Tyson. Again back to a cruel life but instead of
Brownsville, Brooklyn New York it was prison. Having only himself to keep him
company, he became his own best friend and began talking to himself. When released
Tyson didn’t know how to handle the media or anyone which always lead to furious
outburst of rage. It always seemed that Tyson was always surrounded by people constantly
using him for their own gain. It seemed that everyone wanted to be his friend
all for the wrong reasons. After D’Amato died he signed with what he referrers to
as “Slave Masters” taking a third of his wages. He then signed a contract with
Don King who stole from Tyson also. Constantly being used he lost all faith in
life. Becoming; bitter and sacred it’s almost as if he never left the streets
of Brownsville.